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Conference of Presidents Commends Guatemala for Commitment to Move Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and Welcomes Reports of Other Countries Also Considering Relocation of Their Embassies to Jerusalem

Dec 26th, 2017

New York, NY. . . Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations today commended the commitment announced by President of Guatemala Jimmy Morales Cabrera, that his country will return its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. The leaders welcomed reports that several other countries including the Philippines, Romania, the Czech Republic and Honduras are among those also considering relocating their embassies to Israel’s capital.

Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, of the Conference of Presidents, said, “Following the historic declaration of U.S. policy by President Trump earlier this month, officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and announcing the U.S. embassy will be moved there, we commend Guatemala’s President, Jimmy Morales Cabrera, for announcing his country will move its embassy back to Jerusalem.

We are heartened by reports that several other countries, are now also considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The placement of a country’s embassy, as well as the designation of a nation’s capital, are matters of sovereign right. We encourage those countries and all nations to acknowledge Israel’s sovereign right to designate its own national capital by moving their embassies to Jerusalem, without prejudicing the direct negotiations between the parties on all issues.

It is time for President Abbas to come to the table and to stop the intensified campaign of incitement against the U.S. and Israel of recent days."

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The Conference of Presidents is the central coordinating body representing 50 national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern

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